City of Calexico

The City's Code Enforcement page flags any type of construction without a permit as a code issue, and the Building Division flowchart requires a building permit whenever a project meets the City's building-permit threshold. Publicly posted forms show separate applications for owner-builder, contractor, electrical, re-roof, and demolition permits.

Note: Publicly posted Calexico Building pages do not include a standalone exempt-work handout. Based on the City's public statement that it reviews for compliance with the California Building Standards and has not adopted local building-code amendments, exempt work should generally track the California code's standard permit exemptions rather than a city-specific list. Confirm thresholds directly with the Building Division before starting work.

Building code

City development-review materials currently reference compliance with the 2019 California Building Standards, while a 2025 city-hosted project plan set references the 2022 California Building Code. Because the City's public Building page does not clearly post the currently adopted code cycle, applicants should verify the active California code edition with the Building Official before submittal.

Permit validity

The City's public Building pages did not post a local permit-expiration rule. Because Calexico's public development materials say review is for compliance with the California Building Standards and city housing materials state the City has not adopted local building-code amendments, applicants should confirm the current permit-expiration rule with the Building Division before issuance.

Owner-builder

Before a permit is issued, the property owner must complete and sign the Owner-Builder Acknowledgement and Verification form. The form states an agent cannot execute the notice without prior approval of the permitting authority, and the City may require a driver's license copy, notarization, or other signature verification acceptable to the agency.

Contractor requirements

The contractor application requires a California state contractor license number and a City business license number. The application also requires workers' compensation declarations.

Source: City of Calexico Development Services Department, Building Division / Building Department ↗

1. 01
   Confirm whether the project needs Planning review first. The City's development flowchart says commercial and industrial development, and residential projects with more than 10 units, go through the Project Review Committee process; ADUs are processed ministerially as building-permit-only projects.
2. 02
   Determine whether the work meets the threshold for a building permit. If yes, submit the appropriate building permit application form and plan sets to the Building Division.
3. 03
   Include the required plan sets and supporting documents. The City's plan submittal sheet requires 2 complete plan sets for residential work, 3 complete sets for new nonresidential work plus 4 routed to other departments, and 2 complete sets for nonresidential tenant improvements.
4. 04
   Pay the City's published intake deposit. The Building Division flowchart lists a $200 deposit for a small-scale project and $1,000 for a large-scale project.
5. 05
   The City or its third-party reviewer reviews for compliance with the California Building Standards and returns redlines if corrections are needed.
6. 06
   After approval, the permit is issued. Construction proceeds through required inspections, then final inspection, and if applicable a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
7. 07
   If the project also affects grading or the public right-of-way, separate Engineering permits may be required.

Source: City of Calexico Development Services Department, Building Division / Building Department ↗

The City's public Building materials do not clearly describe payment methods. Applicants should confirm acceptable payment methods and whether deposits are credited toward final fees.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• (760) 768-7440 (phone)
• inspections@calexico.ca.gov (email)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests received through the line or email are scheduled for the following business day.

Inspection hours

Building Department office hours are weekdays 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Typical sequence: Permit issuance, required inspection or inspections, final inspection, and if applicable certificate of occupancy. Engineering inspections may run in parallel for grading or encroachment-related work.

Source: City of Calexico Development Services Department, Building Division / Building Department ↗